For the last couple of years Hayley, along with her friend Lindsey, has been involved in the Ilderton 4H Sheep Club. When they first started out they purchased a lamb in March/April, worked with it throughout the spring and summer and then participated in both the Western Fair 4H Show, and the Ilderton Fair 4H Achievement Day. At the Ilderton Fair they would sell their sheep in the Open Sale.

Last year they both decided that they would venture into the world of Breeding Ewe’s....this meant that they didn’t sell them at the Ilderton Fair they brought them home with them and borrowed a Ram (that they named Ronny), with the hopes of having baby lambs. If things worked out then the girls could produce their own 4H animals, and not have to spend the money purchasing them from someone else. They could also raise the animal from birth, get to know it, grow with it and work with it earlier on, to hopefully have a successful show year in 4H.

Ronny with his ladies!!

This venture opened a whole new world for this farm....sheep are not something that we have ever had, so we are learning as we go! We have done lots of research online, in books and through social media by watching videos and reading posts by various sheep farmers. Thankfully we have friends and acquaintances who have been in the business of sheep farming for many years, and have been very helpful!

Ronny arrived mid October, so 152 days from that time, we assumed if they got pregnant, they would lamb sometime during March Break (March 12-16). Hayley was quite excited that she might be able to be around when it happened.

Both these lovely ladies have grown significantly over the last couple of months. There has been much discussion about procedures, and plans for the arrival of baby lambs throughout the weeks!

As per usual in the farming world, nothing ever usually goes exactly as planned. On Saturday this weekend, Steve was gone to hockey with the little boys, Hayley was gone for the weekend, I was getting ready for a baby shower and Wendy was working in the store. A typical, busy Saturday around here.

Wendy came to the door very quickly to let me know that Clare had just went into the barn and found a baby lamb had just been born!!! Yikes!! These “exciting” things always seem to happen when Steve is off the farm, and that isn’t often, thankfully. So I quickly changed my clothes and headed out to see what had transpired.

We are excited to welcome a little boy, whom the girls decided to name “Curious George”, to the farm!!! Mama and baby are doing very well! This little guy is strong, he was up and standing quickly and found his way to nurse shortly there after. The cutest little lamb! Curious George is from Lindsey’s sheep, Hayley is anxiously awaiting the arrival of hers, whom looks ready to pop any day now!

So here we go on the next adventure on Bloomers Family Farm! Be sure to follow along with us!